Hello all! I am looking for any recommendations on a popcorn machine. I believe from my research my best option is going to be a Paragon Cineplex, but I wanted to get some opinions. It is just me, my wife, and 8 year old daughter so I think the 4 oz will be fine. However, I am open to any and all suggestions. Additionally, if anyone has a retailer they recommend for a good price and good service, I am all ears for that too! I appreciate the assistance.

I am thinking seriously about the maxi-matic EPM-300. It is an 8oz with warming deck with cart for less than a 4oz Gold Medal machine.

I know Gold Medal machines are great but the Maxi-matic has decent reviews and the money saved can be used elsewhere in my project. I am still on the fence but I'll be ordering a machine in a week or so and right now I am leaning towards the Maxi-matic.

Does anyone here have any opinions on Maxi-matic, either positive or negative?

Make sure you'll really use it. I love the popcorn from my popcorn machine. IMHO, it's so much better than microwave popcorn. I bought a case of popcorn that I really enjoy. I bought the little popcorn boxes. I didn't mind spending the money on the machine or supplies. My problem is that I got tired of cleaning the machine. We watch movies at night. Obviously, you want to make the popcorn so you have it right before the movie starts. Then you watch the movie, and then at 11 pm, midnight or 1 am, the movie is over and you're ready for bed. Do you want to clean the machine then? No, I'll do it in the morning. Well, I'll do it after I get the yardwork done. Since we're going to watch another movie tonight, I'll clean it tomorrow morning. And on weeknights, you're not going to clean it the next morning before work, and when you get home from work, you're tired.

My popper gets used primarily when we have company over to watch a movie, and that's not very ofter.

Put me back in time before I bought my popper, and I'd still buy it. But before YOU buy one, think about exactly when you'll clean it and how often you'll be entertaining.

Thanks Peter. I am sure the popcorn machine will get a lot of use in my house. I am just trying to weigh the obvious benefits of a Paragon or Gold Medal vs the attractive price of an Elite or Great Northern.

Care to share where you got that price? Also, how much more would the cart have cost you?

I got it at webstaurantstore.com. I placed the order at lunchtime on Monday and it was delivered the next day which was pretty amazing. I haven't opened it up yet because I've been too busy but at least the box is in good shape.

Make sure you'll really use it. I love the popcorn from my popcorn machine. IMHO, it's so much better than microwave popcorn. I bought a case of popcorn that I really enjoy. I bought the little popcorn boxes. I didn't mind spending the money on the machine or supplies. My problem is that I got tired of cleaning the machine. We watch movies at night. Obviously, you want to make the popcorn so you have it right before the movie starts. Then you watch the movie, and then at 11 pm, midnight or 1 am, the movie is over and you're ready for bed. Do you want to clean the machine then? No, I'll do it in the morning. Well, I'll do it after I get the yardwork done. Since we're going to watch another movie tonight, I'll clean it tomorrow morning. And on weeknights, you're not going to clean it the next morning before work, and when you get home from work, you're tired.

My popper gets used primarily when we have company over to watch a movie, and that's not very ofter.

Put me back in time before I bought my popper, and I'd still buy it. But before YOU buy one, think about exactly when you'll clean it and how often you'll be entertaining.

BTW, it's great to have for our kids' birthday parties.

This is such a good post! And reason why I haven't bought one. I have so much stuff that I don't use, I'm a collector and I spend more time collecting than I do enjoying my collection of AV stuff! I use microwave and my stir crazy popper. Not knocking the real poppers, there is no substitute and I'd love to have one.

Shahram

Are you capable of independent thought, or do you need the government and mass media to do that for you?

I got it at webstaurantstore.com. I placed the order at lunchtime on Monday and it was delivered the next day which was pretty amazing. I haven't opened it up yet because I've been too busy but at least the box is in good shape.

Cart is available for $149 and I plan on getting that for Christmas.

Thanks for the help. Not sure if I am going to go that route or the Paragon route. I have to have a stand since I have nowhere else to place the machine. For an extra $50 I get a lifetime guarantee. In my mind it is worth the $50.

Thanks for the help. Not sure if I am going to go that route or the Paragon route. I have to have a stand since I have nowhere else to place the machine. For an extra $50 I get a lifetime guarantee. In my mind it is worth the $50.

You definitely can't beat a lifetime warranty. What sold me on the Gold Medal was the kettle. Here is a link comparing them:

I originally wanted an 8 oz popper but the price of an 8 oz GM/Paragon/Benchmark was a little too steep and I was concerned about the quality of the Elite & Great Northern Machines. So in my mind when it came to a 4 oz machine bigger was better which was why I chose the GM.

Make sure you'll really use it. I love the popcorn from my popcorn machine. IMHO, it's so much better than microwave popcorn. I bought a case of popcorn that I really enjoy. I bought the little popcorn boxes. I didn't mind spending the money on the machine or supplies. My problem is that I got tired of cleaning the machine. We watch movies at night. Obviously, you want to make the popcorn so you have it right before the movie starts. Then you watch the movie, and then at 11 pm, midnight or 1 am, the movie is over and you're ready for bed. Do you want to clean the machine then? No, I'll do it in the morning. Well, I'll do it after I get the yardwork done. Since we're going to watch another movie tonight, I'll clean it tomorrow morning. And on weeknights, you're not going to clean it the next morning before work, and when you get home from work, you're tired.

My popper gets used primarily when we have company over to watch a movie, and that's not very ofter.

Put me back in time before I bought my popper, and I'd still buy it. But before YOU buy one, think about exactly when you'll clean it and how often you'll be entertaining.

BTW, it's great to have for our kids' birthday parties.

I've had my popper for about 5 years - 6 oz Metropolitan and Stand purchased from Stargate. We use it every weekend, but I only clean it every other month or so (sometimes every 4 months). No big deal. There's always popcorn in it, so I can walk by any time and grab a handful. Once I know there's a tray or two worth of old maids in the bottom, I'll spend 15 minutes cleaning it.

Make sure you'll really use it. I love the popcorn from my popcorn machine. IMHO, it's so much better than microwave popcorn. I bought a case of popcorn that I really enjoy. I bought the little popcorn boxes. I didn't mind spending the money on the machine or supplies. My problem is that I got tired of cleaning the machine. We watch movies at night. Obviously, you want to make the popcorn so you have it right before the movie starts. Then you watch the movie, and then at 11 pm, midnight or 1 am, the movie is over and you're ready for bed. Do you want to clean the machine then? No, I'll do it in the morning. Well, I'll do it after I get the yardwork done. Since we're going to watch another movie tonight, I'll clean it tomorrow morning. And on weeknights, you're not going to clean it the next morning before work, and when you get home from work, you're tired.

My popper gets used primarily when we have company over to watch a movie, and that's not very ofter.

Put me back in time before I bought my popper, and I'd still buy it. But before YOU buy one, think about exactly when you'll clean it and how often you'll be entertaining.

BTW, it's great to have for our kids' birthday parties.

This was a concern of mine as well before I bought one. I fully expected that if it was just me watching I'd stick with microwave (ick!) or the Whirley-Pop. And that's what I do - machine for guests/parties, not for one person.

But I have been happy with how easy the machine is to clean - easier/faster than I expected, so I may change my behavior. I think it's faster to clean than the Whirley-pop. The trick I figured out is to get a medium-sized Rubbermaid dish tub, hold it against the open door on the machine and scoop all the corn/crumbs out right into the tub. Paper towels, throw everything into the tub, then dump it in the garbage. Takes <5 minutes.

But yes, that never seems to get cleaned that night - usually a day later...

Its good to hear that lots of people are enjoying theirs and that these machines seem to have some serious longevity. Also that they don't need cleanup after each use. I am still wondering about size though... most nights it will just be my wife and I, but we will sometimes have guests for movie night. Would a 4oz (with warming tray) be the way to go for us, and just make double batches when needed? Right now we just use a plain old air popper but it's still better than microwave. And what are everyone's favourite brands of popcorn pack?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stew4msu

There's always popcorn in it, so I can walk by any time and grab a handful.

I am still wondering about size though... most nights it will just be my wife and I, but we will sometimes have guests for movie night. Would a 4oz (with warming tray) be the way to go for us, and just make double batches when needed?

I have a 4oz and can easily pop several batches to get ready for a party. Only takes like 3 minutes per batch after the machine is warmed up. Warming tray is the key there. Stuff stay nice for hours...

I've used both the Snappy popcorn and Wabash Valley Farms - I prefer the Wabash...

Would a 4oz (with warming tray) be the way to go for us, and just make double batches when needed?

Not sure which machine you are looking at but I pointed out in an earlier post in this thread that the kettle on the 4oz Gold Medal is much bigger than other 4oz machines. It will pop 4oz batches quicker and can also handle 6 oz packs if that is important to you.

Not sure which machine you are looking at but I pointed out in an earlier post in this thread that the kettle on the 4oz Gold Medal is much bigger than other 4oz machines. It will pop 4oz batches quicker and can also handle 6 oz packs if that is important to you.

Thanks guys, I think the GM 2404 is at the top of my list right now. I've sent out a few emails to local (Toronto) distributors to see what pricing will be like. Any Paragon supporters have some input? The large kettle, the warming tray, and the several "built like a tank" comments I've seen regarding this unit are key factors so far.

we have had our paragon popper for 4 months now. ( first dedicated purchase for the theater that has yet to be finished) used at least once a week since purchasing. 6 oz kettle that we put 8 oz batches in frequently I LOVE LOVE LOVE this popper. Easy to clean. warming element and light work well to maintain fresh tasting popcorn We used our 5 qt all clad dutch oven all time before this and the speed and ease of clean up is big upgrade. I have no fear of being able to get parts for this machine as long as the good folks in Nevada, IA keep making a quality product. Boy Scout camp outs, birthday parties, office parties, this thing cranks out batch after batch. Only complaint is that it is a little loud, but the speed and quality of finished product more than makes up for it. This is an American made product from one of the biggest popcorn producing states in the country. Paragon makes one damn fine popcorn popper.

Are you guys using the full on coconut oil? I would love to buy one of these things and I LOVE movie theater popcorn, but I'm not sure my heart can take it...

there is a "Great Northern Popcorn Black Paducah 8 Ounce Bar Style Antique Popcorn Machine" available at a great price compared to some of these higher end brands you guys are listing, how would they stack up against it?

(It looks like AVS itself is selling these Great Northern popcorn machines at a good price, the link is at the top of this page. 8oz. machine for $157. Looks nice in the picture)